A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Caracas vs. Tamarindo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Caracas or Tamarindo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Caracas and Tamarindo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Caracas or Tamarindo?

Caracas

Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela, and also the country's largest city. It's in the northern portion of the country and is close to the Caribbean. While Caracas may not be a major travel destination in Venezuela, it can offer interesting insight into the country's urban character. It has a great art, culinary, and music culture that truly bring the city to life. The beautiful Mount Avila overlooks the city and separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. Many locals and visitors alike head to the mountain as a quick escape. You can reach it by taking a cable car that carries you up to the SWaraira Repano Park at the very top.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Caracas?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Caracas is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $121. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Caracas and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Caracas -
    Tamarindo $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Caracas $0.00
    Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Caracas and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in Caracas or Tamarindo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Caracas


Hotels in Tamarindo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Caracas -
    Tamarindo $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Airport Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo Hyatt (Round Trip): $163
  • Flamingo/Tamarindo to Liberia Airport(LIR)- Departure Transfer: $38
  • From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
  • Guanacaste Airport transfer to Jw Marriott Guanacaste: $130
  • Liberia Airport Private Transfer To Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica: $125
  • Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $55
  • Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
  • Playa Conchal & Flamingo From Liberia Airport, Transfer Service: $168
  • Playa Grande to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $31
  • Private Airport Transfer from Liberia to Tamarindo beaches Areas & surrounding : $140
  • Private Liberia airport transfer: $200
  • Private Transfer - Liberia Airport & Riu Hotel: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Caracas or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Caracas change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Caracas -
    Tamarindo $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.

  • Online Class on Zoom: Cooking Costa Rica Homemade Food: $35
  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Caracas -
    Tamarindo $17

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:

  • Costa Rica: tour in electric car (only best view locations): $2.00
  • Sea turtle watching tour near playa grande: $44
  • Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
  • Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
  • Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey Tour: $50
  • ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
  • Tamarindo Estuary: Howler Monkey Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $65
  • Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
  • ATV and UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Conchal Beach: $67
  • ATV Tour through the Flamingo Potrero and Brasilito Area: $70
  • Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
  • Tamarindo Kayaking Tour with Snorkeling at Captain Island: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Caracas -
    Tamarindo $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Caracas and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Caracas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Caracas is in South America and Tamarindo is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Caracas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caracas and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tamarindo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamarindo than you might in Caracas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Caracas Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Caracas or Tamarindo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Caracas or Tamarindo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Caracas and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Caracas year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Caracas usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Caracas gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Caracas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Caracas usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Caracas gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Caracas is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Caracas averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Caracas 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Caracas or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Caracas as well as Tamarindo. Caracas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Caracas usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Caracas gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Caracas this time of the year. In the autumn, Caracas often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Caracas gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Caracas is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Caracas in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Caracas 28°C (83°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Caracas or Tamarindo in the Winter?

Both Tamarindo and Caracas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Caracas throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Caracas usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Caracas gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Caracas. Caracas usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Caracas gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Caracas is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Caracas average around 26°C (78°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Caracas 26°C (78°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Caracas or Tamarindo in the Spring?

Both Tamarindo and Caracas during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Caracas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

Caracas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Tamarindo. Caracas gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Caracas often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Caracas gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.

Caracas is cooler than Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Caracas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Caracas 27°C (80°F) 
    Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Caracas

Caracas Tamarindo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 25°C (78°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 22 mm (0.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)